The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-16
A MORMON SENSATION.
Romantic Story About an Alleged Blood
Successor to President Joseph Smith.

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 15. - The Globe Democrat
prints the following: One November day, about
twenty five years ago. the Mormon people,
with their heaouarters at Nauvoo.
H., on the Mississippi, river, were
much startled by an article entitled.
"a Strange Story" which was published gener-
ally, and related an interview with an English
lawyer, who had come from No 10 Temple place,
London, England. The central figure in the
story Joseph Smith, then the Prophet God
! of the Mormons. 1t was alleged that the law
yer stated that Joseph Smith twenty years be-
fore that time. or about 1842 had become fas-
cinated with a young. handsome and accom-
plished woman. who had short time before
that settled in Nauvoo. coming with her parents
from England, of rich and wealthy family. all
believers IN the Mormon doctrine. The prophet
wished to take the pretty girl as his spiritual
wife and after great deal of persuasion she finally
consented, but. however, conditioned that IL she
bore son, he, in the "fuliness of time" an
expression used by the church, should become
the head of the Mormon Church.
birth to a son. and that for fear of foul play by
other children of the Smith family, the mother
and child were fastened to England, going via
the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Pittsburg,
thence by rail to New York. and then by vessel
to London. The lady, to, was said to have
credentials from the father of the child, giving
him the right to be his successor. sin the full
ness of time" to the head of the church. The
child educated in the Cambridge University,
of England. and if now living the person in ques-
tion would be about forty-hve years old.
Tho story, with little difference from the
original paper, is being repubished in
pamphlet form by one LIE Barron Havington.
a man of some note in the Mormon Church. at
Salt Lake City, Utah. and the question among
those who know of the case is:
SIS Havington republishng the story, twen-
ty-fve years later. for pecuniary objects, or is
he circulating it to create a sentiment for the
central figure of the story who is to take up
his birth-right as the leader of the church?'
1t is possible, even probable, it is claimed,
that the successor Of Joseph Smith is to come
from England soon, the Mormon Church is
now, at least, temporarily without head since
the death of John Taylor.
There are now probably but two persons living
who would know the lawyer. If living, who de-
tailed the startling information given a quarter
of a century ago. One of these is n residsHt OF
this city and the other of Hancock county. Illinois.
If the child who was to come in the "fuilness of
time" does come to claim his position as the leader
of the church. il is said there will be Developments
which would doubtless cause little less than a
revolution in mt modern Mormon history.
The St. Louis gentleman who will be relied
upon to make these developments is DR.. Geo. W.
Hall. while the one from Hancock county, Hi.
Eois, is Mr. Crawford The latter has been here
recently, and both he and DR.. Hall have taken q
great deal of interest in Mormon affairs of to-
day The story they will tell II the Smith de-
scendant is brought to light is, that the story
which startled the Mormons twenty-five years
ago was all a myth 1t was all prepared and ar.
ranged in DR.. Halls Office. though yet it
not be learned by whom, nor the object of its
fiction That 1t was myth, however, is learned
definitely. and that DR.. Hall and the Illinois
gentleman will be able to prove il so is equally
certain. The latter has said as much to friends
residing here within the last few days and DIR.
Hall, when seen yesterday. refused to talk gem
orally about the matter, adding that he desired
to await developments at Salt Lake City. He,
however, admitted the truth of the report that
be was at the time cognizant of the arrange
ment of the fiction, and that the romantic story
was q myth.